Physically demanding jobs like sales, nursing, and farming may increase the risk of dementia and cognitive decline later in life, reveals a new study.
Researchers have recently uncovered a concerning connection between physically demanding occupations and a higher risk of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) later in life, the New York Post.
Contrary to the age-old adage "healthy body, healthy mind," new research suggests that the toll physically demanding jobs take on the body may also affect cognitive health.
The Research Scope
The study examined data from over 7,000 participants.
Researchers tracked the participants' occupational physical activity (PA) trajectories from ages 33 to 65, focusing on the risk of dementia and MCI when they reached 70 or older.
Of the participants, 902 were diagnosed with dementia later in life, while 2,407 were diagnosed with MCI.
Occupations at Risk
Physically demanding jobs singled out in the study included salespeople, nursing assistants, care assistants, crop farmers, and animal producers.
These vocations typically require considerable use of one's arms and legs, involving tasks such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Surprising Findings
The research identified four distinct patterns or "trajectories" of occupational physical activity (PA):
Stable Low PA: Approximately 31% of participants had consistently low levels of physical activity in their jobs throughout their careers.
Increasing then Decreasing PA: Nearly 9% initially had low physical activity at work, which increased and then decreased.
Stable Intermediate PA: Around 25% maintained a steady, moderate physical activity at work.
Stable High PA: Approximately 35% consistently engaged in high levels of physical activity in their jobs.
Connecting the Dots
The study's most alarming finding was that those with a "Stable High PA" trajectory had a higher risk of both dementia and MCI compared to those with a "Stable Low PA" trajectory.
Conversely, those with a "Stable Intermediate PA" pattern had a higher risk of MCI but not dementia than those with low physical activity jobs.
Moreover, those with an "Increasing then Decreasing PA" pattern had a 24% lower risk of dementia but an 18% higher risk of MCI, although these differences were not statistically significant.
These results emphasize the complex relationship between occupational physical activity and cognitive health.
Theories Behind the Link
The researchers offered several explanations for these findings.
High physical demands later in life were associated with smaller hippocampal volumes and poorer memory performance, potentially contributing to cognitive decline.
Jobs with low physical demands often allowed for more flexible working hours and more breaks, which could promote better recovery.
Furthermore, jobs requiring high physical activity, such as nursing and sales, were often characterized by a lack of autonomy, prolonged standing, rigid working hours, stress, and a higher risk of burnout.
These factors may compound the negative impact of physical activity on cognitive health.
While this study sheds light on the connection between occupational and physical activity and cognitive impairment, it is important to note that the pre-clinical period of dementia can begin up to two decades before symptoms appear.
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